The surfing world is abuzz with the return of the GOAT, Steph Gilmore, and the emergence of a new generation of fearless young guns. As the 2026 WSL season kicks off in Australia, all eyes are on the battle between youth and experience, with a particular focus on the iconic Pipeline and the women who dare to ride it. Personally, I think this season will be a fascinating interplay of the classic rivalry between Carissa Moore and Stephanie Gilmore, and the emerging rivalry between the young guns like Molly Picklum and Caitlin Simmers. What makes this particularly fascinating is the introduction of a 'maternity wildcard' and the supportive approach towards mothers on the tour. From my perspective, the return of Gilmore, who is one of the most competitive people I've ever known, will be a major talking point. Her free surf trips to locations like Raglan in New Zealand show her dedication to the sport, and I predict she will be fired up to dominate the competition. One thing that immediately stands out is the fearlessness of the young generation in tackling the heaviest waves. Tyler Wright, a former world champ, speaks glowingly of the audacity and talent of these young women, who are breaking barriers in waves once dominated by men. What many people don't realize is that the introduction of the 'maternity wildcard' and the supportive approach towards mothers on the tour is a significant step forward for women's surfing. It sends a powerful message to the younger generation that if you're on the tour and thinking about starting a family, you have their support. As the season unfolds, I can't wait to see the clash of the titans and the rise of the new generation. The return of Gilmore and the emergence of young guns like Picklum and Simmers will make for some thrilling surfing, and I'm excited to witness the next chapter in the evolution of women's surfing. If you take a step back and think about it, the surfing world is at a fascinating juncture, with the classic rivalry between Moore and Gilmore, and the emerging rivalry between the young guns, set against the backdrop of a supportive and progressive tour. This raises a deeper question: how will the introduction of the 'maternity wildcard' and the supportive approach towards mothers impact the future of women's surfing? What this really suggests is that the surfing world is evolving, and the return of the GOAT and the emergence of a new generation of fearless young guns are just the beginning of a new era.
